Australia's Leading Ophthalmic Magazine Since 1975

Australia's Leading Ophthalmic Magazine Since 1975

George & Matilda crowned at Growth Company Awards

25/10/2018 • By Myles Hume

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George & Matilda Eyecare has claimed a top prize at the Australian Growth Company Awards (AGCA). The Australian-owned and operated business was recognised for its strong growth and financial performance on October 17, winning the aware for Consumer Goods Growth Company of the Year.

The awards, which began in 2012, recognise mid-market companies that demonstrate strong growth rates, innovation, integrity, community contribution and sustainable growth.

Despite only launching in April 2016, George & Matilda Eyecare now has 50 practices in all major Australian cities and continues to expand.

The company’s founder and CEO Chris Beer said the award was testament to the hard work of his team and its partners.

“When we launched just a couple of years ago, we had no practices, just an ambition to build a world class community of the best independents. Since then we have enjoyed some amazing successes.”

George & Matilda CEO Chris Beer

“When we launched just a couple of years ago, we had no practices, just an ambition to build a world class community of the best independents. Since then we have enjoyed some amazing successes and I am very humbled to have our efforts recognised.”

The company was built to fill a void in the Australian marketplace, which only had two big players at the time. In a July interview, Beer pointed to the global picture where there were usually three or four major competitors in eyecare sectors - providing each had a point of difference.

Beer said the company’s approach is “clearly working”.

“Our business strategy is to work closely with high- quality practices across Australia who enjoy strong loyalty in their local communities. We want to position the George & Matilda brand in a premium eyecare perspective. We only want to be in the middle and the upper-end of the marketplace and we also wanted to be very clear on where we could add value and win in the marketplace,” he told Insight.

“We work in partnership with each practice, meaning they continue to manage their businesses while we bring to the table the latest and best-available technology, buying power and supply chain support.”